Combination high and low pressure lubricant pump



Oct. 10, 1939. Q w GlNTER 2,175,522

COMBINATION HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE LUBRICANT PUMP Filed April 27, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE LUBRICANT PUMP Charles W. Ginter, Bryan, Ohio, assignor to The Arc Equipment Corporation, Bryan, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application April 27, 1937, Serial No. 139,256

An object of my present invention is to provide a lubricant pump which is particularly adaptable for selectively discharging lubricant at either high or low pressure to suit various lubricating requirements.

A further object is to provide such a lubricant pump which may be conveniently embodied in the form of a grease gun, with means for securing either a single shot of lubricant upon depression of a control trigger, or a series of shots of lubricant as long as the trigger is depressed.

Another object is to provide a power unit so designed that its speed of operation can be readily varied as well as set for either single or multiple shot operation.

Another object is to provide a lubricant pump having interchangeable lubricant reservoirs, each reservoir having as a part thereof a pump head, which is readily disconnectible and connectible relative to a single power unit for the different lubricant reservoirs.

Still another object is to provide in a lubricant pump of this type, a means for continuously supplying fluid pressure to a follower in the reservoir, and to return mechanism for the pump plunger, a coupling being provided for supplying such fluid pressure from the power unit to the reservoir and pump head whenever the unit and head are connected together.

Still a further object is to provide means for automatically cutting off the fluid pressure to the reservoir and pump head when the parts are dis connected from each other, and for bleeding the air from the reservoir upon such disconnection so that it can thereafter be opened without any danger of expelling its contents.

unit from the pump head.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my combination high and low pressure lubricant pump whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a lubricant pump embodying my invention.

16 Claims.

Figure 2 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional View through the same, with the exception of the lower end of the reservoir.

Figure 2a is a sectional view similar to a portion of Figure 2 showing the automatic valve 5 thereof in a different position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the lower end of the reservoir, Figure 3 being a continuation of the reservoir shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 10 of Figure 2 showing a control valve operable to selectively secure high or low pressure operation of the pump.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of Figure 2, showing details of. a quick disconl5 necting mechanism for parts of the pump.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-45 of Figure 2 showing a valve positioning device; and

Figure 7 is a sectional View on the line 'l'l 20 of Figure 3 showing a retainer ring in the lubricant reservoir. 7

On the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference character P to indicate a power unit, PH a pump head and 33 a reservoir. 25

The power unit P comprises a cylinder ID in which is reciprocably mounted a high pressure piston l2. The piston I2 may be of cup leather construction and secured to a stem Hi. The stem 14 is movable in a cylinder l6 of the pump head PH and contacts therein with a piston. head l6.

Connected with the head I6 is a lubricant plunger l8 reciprocable through packing l8a in a sleeve lBb. The plunger I8 is also reciprocable in a bore 20 which receives lubricant from a pas- 35 sageway .22 communicating with a passageway 24. The passageway 24 in turn communicates with the lubricant reservoir 33. The packing l8a prevents air pressure from the passageway 29 flowing along the plunger I8 and into the pas- 40 sageway 22.

A low pressure piston 26 is provided, and this piston is stationary instead of being reciprocably mounted. It is positioned within a cylindrical bore 28 of the piston l2 and surrounds a piston rod 30 extending from the stem l4 through a stationary packing 32. Obviously introduction of air into the cylinder III will force the plunger l8 forwardly, the effective area being the area of. the cylinder [0 minus the area of the piston, 26. Introduction of air also into the cylinder 28 will increase the effective area which would then be the area of the cylinder ll] minus the area of the piston rod 30.

The low pressure discharge of lubricant from the adapter 34 at the forward end of the lubricant pump to a grease nipple 36 is effected by introducing air only to the space within the cylinder 28, while for high pressure discharge of lubricant air is introduced to both this space and the space within the cylinder I 9 by the operation of suitable valves and the like, as will hereinafter appear.

I provide an automatic valve responsive to the reciprocations of the lubricant plunger I8 and including a valve block 38 and a slide valve 49, slidable along the upper face thereof. The valve 40 is slid by a yoke 42 and a sleeve 44, the yoke being seated in a peripheral groove 42' of the sleeve. The yoke has a pin-like extension 42" loosely received in a socket of the valve 49. The sleeve 44 in turn is slid in response to movements of the piston rod 39 by a shoulder 46 thereon and a nut 48. The opposite positions of the slide valve 49 are determined by a pair of grooves 59 in the sleeve 44 with which a spring urged pin 52 (see Figure 6) coacts. This arrangement also gives a snap action to the slide valve due to springs 44 in the sleeve 44.

The power unit may be operated by any suitable fluid pressure. By way of illustration, 1 show diagrammatically a compressed air tank 54 supplying air through a hose 59 to a control valve 58. A control valve 58 has a head 69 normally seated as illustrated in Figure 2, but which can be unseated by a pivoted trigger 62 for permitting air to pass to a passageway 64.

The passageway 64 communicates with an annular space 66 which in turn is in communication with the head of the slide valve 49 through a port 68. A control valve stem 58, when depressed by the trigger 82, seats against a seat 10 to prevent escape of the compressed air from the passageway 64 to atmosphere along the bore 12 of the control valve. When the control valve is in the position shown in Figure 2, however, such exhaust of air is permitted. The slide valve 49, when in the position shown in Figure 2, permits exhaust of air from the interior of the cylinder 28 along a bore 14 of the piston 26 and through an annular space I5 and a passageway 16 adjacent the valve block 38.

This passageway 16 communicates with a passageway l8 within the valve block and a second passageway 89 therein. The passageway 89 communicates with a slot 82 in the sleeve 44 which discharges into the interior of an exhaust valve 84. This valve is screw threaded in the head of the power unit P and is adapted for either seating on a seat 88 or for variable spacing therefrom if desired. Lateral ports 85 are provided in the exhaust valve 84 to permit escape of the air to atmosphere.

A selector valve 8'! (see Figure 4) is provided. This valve, when in the position illustrated, unseats a valve member 88 from a seat 98. One side of the seat 99 communicates by a passageway 9| with the interior of the cylinder I9, while the other side thereof communicates by a passageway 92 with the annular space I5, and thereby in turn with the passageways 16, I8, 80 and 82, and the exhaust valve 84. The selector valve 81, when released from the position shown in Figure 4, permits the valve member 88 to close against the seat 99 to shut off communication between the passageways 9| and 92. Thereupon a bore 83 in the valve 81 serves as a breather passageway or vent to atmosphere for the passageway 9|, the inner end of the valve 81 being then spaced from the valve member 88 by a spring 93. A pin 94 limits the outward movement of the selector valve 81, and also serves to retain it in its inner position by coaction with a pair of opposite lugs 95 as illustrated in Figure 4.

The valve 81 may be rotated for turning the pin 94 to a position out of registry with the lugs, whereupon the spring 93 is effective to push the valve 81 to its opposite position and permit the valve member 88 to close.

The power unit P and the pump head PH are telescopically associated with each other. For this purpose, the power unit has a sleeve 96 surrounding the cylinder IS. The two are held in engagement with each other by a pair of cross pins 91 which are slidable in inclined slots 98 of the sleeve 98. These slots incline inwardly and toward the outer end of the sleeve 98, and are normally urged to this position by a spring 99. When the parts are telescoped together, the cross pins 9'! enter notches I98 in the cylinder I6.

For disconnect purposes, a sleeve I02 is provided which partially encircles the cylinder I and is slidable relative thereto. The sleeve has three projecting fingers I 03 extending through slots I84 of the cylinder I9, and their inner ends are engageab'le with a ring I85, which in turn is eng-ageable with the pins 91 for forcing them backwardly against the action of the spring 99 out of the notches I99.

When the power unit and pump head are connected together, a coupling becomes effective for connecting a cavity I I within the power unit with a passageway I3 in the pump head. This coupling comprises a nipple I connected with the pump head and extending through a sealing gasket ll of the pump unit. A shut-off valve I9 is provided for normally seating against thegasket 1 to seal the cavity II against escape of compressed air to atmosphere when the power unit and pump head are disconnected from each other.

The cavity communicates by a passageway 2| with the hollow handle 23 of the power unit to which the hose 53 is connected. The pump head includes a cup leather 25 against which compressed air is continuously effective to normally urge the lubricant plunger I8 and consequently the piston I2 and the piston rod 30 in a return direction whenever the power unit is connected with the pump head.

Air is supplied to the cylinder I8 in which the cup leather 25 is mounted through passageways 21 and 29 communicating with the passageway I3.

The reservoir 33 is surrounded by an outer cylinder 3| which is screw threaded into the pump head PH. On its outer end it is provided with a head 35 having a chamber 35. The inner cylinder 33 is retained in position by the outer cylinder and sealed against escape of lubricant from the pump head PH and head 35 by gaskets 31 and 39. The external diameter of the cylinder 33 is slightly less than the internal diameter of the cylinder 3| and the space between them communicates with the passageway I3 to receive compressed air therefrom.

This compressed air is introduced to the chamber 35 below the follower F through slots 4| formed in the cylinder 33 adjacent its lower end for the purpose of receiving a retainer ring 43. Within the chamber 35 the compressed air serves to continuously urge a follower F in a lubricant discharging direction relative to the reservoir 33, as long as the power unit is connected with the pump head.

Practical operation to secure single shot discharge of lubricant at low pressure The selector valve 81 is moved from the position shown in Figure 4 to its closed position. The exhaust valve 84 is also moved from its position in Figure 2 to its closed position. Compressed air acting on the piston 25 will normally force it to its rearward position opposite that shown in Figure 2, and the air will be exhausted through the seat 10 and bore 12 of the control valve 58 to atmosphere.

When the trigger 62 is depressed, the valve 58 will be seated against the seat 18 to cut off the exhaust and the valve head 60 will be opened for admitting air from the handle 23 to the passageway 64, and consequently to the slide valve 40. The slide valve will be in the position of Figure 2a, so that air from the port 68 passes through the passageways l8, 16, 15 and 14 to the cylinder 28. It thereupon acts within the cylinder against the stationary piston 26 to force the stem I 4 and the lubricant plunger l8 forwardly to discharge the charge of lubricant previously forced into the plunger bore 28 by the retraction of the plunger therefrom, and the lubricant under pressure in the reservoir 33, due to the follower F therein being urged toward the pump head PH by compressed air. When the trigger 62 is released, the control valve 58 will assume its position of Figure 2 for permitting escape of air from within the cylinder 28, whereupon retraction of the lubricant plunger is will occur. The valve 40, during the retracting period, will be in the position shown by full lines, which permits charging of the passageways 8i! and 82 and the space leading to the valve 34. The pressure of air in this space will unseat the valve 48, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 2, so that this air can escape through the bore 68 to the passageway 64, and then past the seat 10 of the valve 58 through the bore 12 thereof to atmosphere.

To secure single shot discharge of lubricant at high pressure When it is desirable to secure high pressure instead of low pressure discharge of lubricant, it is merely necessary to press in on the selector valve 81 and hold it in that position, or press it inwardly and rotate it until the pin 94 rests on top of the lugs 95 so that it will stay in this position until again manually released. Thereupon opening of the control valve 58 results in the same operation as described in connection with the single shot low pressure discharge of lubricant with the addition of the air which enters the annular space 15 passing through the passageways 92 and 9| and past the valve 88 and its seat 90 to the space within the cylinder [0. In this space it acts upon the piston !2 so that both pistons I2 and 28 are then effective to force the lubricant plunger l8 forwardly. This is a considerable increase in pressure because of a sub stantial increase in effective area within the cylinder l over that within the cylinder 28.

To secure multiple shot discharge of lubricant at high or low pressure The selective operation for discharge of lubricant at either low pressure or high pressurehas already been described. With either operation multiple shot operation can also be secured by opening the exhaust valve 84. When this is done, the slide valve 40, when in its position shown in Figure 2, permits escape of the exhaust air from the passageway I8 through the passageways 83 and 82 and the ports 85 to atmosphere, whereas with the single shot operation such escape is not permitted, but escape is only had through the control valve 58 after the slide valve 40 has moved to the dotted position shown in Figure 2, which permits the air within the passageway 18 to escape therefrom through the passageways 64 and 12 whenever the trigger 62 is released.

Obviously this multiple shot adjustment secured by the exhaust valve 84 is effective whether the selector valve 81 is set for low pressure or high pressure operation.

Regulating the operation of the power unit In securing multiple shot operation, as just described, it has heretofore been assumed that the exhaust valve 84 is wide open. Multiple shot operation can also be secured with this valve partially closed, and the degree of closure serves to regulate the operation of the power unit during multiple shot discharge of lubricant. The greater the closure of the valve 84, the more the exhaust of air is restricted, and consequently the slower the operation. This is a very desirable feature where different viscosities of lubricants are being handled, as it is often desirable when changing from one viscosity to another to change the speed of operation of the pump.

Disconnecting the power unit from the pump head This is accomplished quickly by merely retracting the sleeve I02 and thereby moving the ring Hi rearwardly to retract the cross pins 91 from the notches I00. Thereafter the power unit may be merely pulled from the pump head which will automatically uncouple the nipple 15 from the power unit and permit the shut off valve 9 to close. This prevents escape of air from the power unit and at the same time opens the nipple E5 to atmosphere so that the air in the pump head and reservoir is automatically bled to atmosphere.

Thus the air pressure is relieved from behind the follower F so that there is no further tendency within the reservoir to discharge lubricant therefrom and the reservoir can be disconnected from the pump head if desired for any purpose, While the reservoir. may also be filled with lubricant through a filler plug 45 from a bucket pump or the like. A check valve 45' normally prevents return of the lubricant to atmosphere.

If for any reason it is desirable to retract the follower F manually, this may be accomplished by unscrewing the head 35 from the outer cylinder 3 I, and then pulling the cylinder 33 outwardly relative tothe cylinder 3| by a flexible chain 4! having its ends connected to the head 35 and to the follower F, the friction between the follower F and cylinder 33 being sufficient for this purpose. Thereafter, to retract the follower relative to the reservoir 33 to recharge the reservoir with lubricant, the cylinder 33 is held in one hand and the head 35 pulled outwardly as the chain will retract the follower. Instruck portions 43' of the ring 43 inside the cylinder 33, as shown in Figure 7, serve to limit the retracting movement of the follower F by engaging a cylindrical flange 49 thereof. During lubricating operations, the operator may secure either a single shot or multiple shot operation at will, and can lubricate bearings at low pressure until such time as high pressure is required to lubricate the bearings, whereupon a single shot or a plurality of shots can be secured either by merely depressing the selector valve 81 or looking it in high pressure position.

The exhaust valve 84 if desired can be graduated and a pointer 84 provided therefor so that when once the operator is familiar with a certain setting of the valve for a certain type of lubricant, he can readily return to such setting when desired.

From the foregoing it is obvious that provision is made for quick connecting and disconnecting of the power unit relative to the pump head, without the necessity of having to make any air connection, and yet a continuous supply of air is provided on the follower F at all times, and always at the same pressure as distinguished from a diminishing pressure experienced with the types of reservoirs in which a charge of compressed air is placed behind the follower only at the time the reservoir is filled with lubricant.

The coupling means including the nipple l5 also provides for compressed air return of the pump mechanism, thus eliminating the necessity of providing a return spring for this purpose and the attendant difficulties experienced by spring breakage.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described, a fluid reservoir, a pump receiving fluid therefrom, a power unit for operating said pump and having a pair of operating devices, one of said operating devices operating said pump to discharge fluid at low presure therefrom and both of said operating devices operating said pump to discharge fluid at high pressure therefrom, means for selecting the operating devices to be operable, and com,- mon means for controlling the starting and the stopping of said operating devices.

2. In a device as disclosed, a pump, means for supplying fluid thereto, power mechanism for said pump, said power mechanism having a pair of operating devices for said pump to cause it to discharge fluid at high pressure, one of said operating devices being operable to cause it to discharge fluid at low pressure and means for selecting either both of said operating devices or said one of said operating devices to be operable upon actuation of the power unit.

3. In a device as disclosed, a pump, means for supplying fluid thereto, a first fluid pressure operated means for operating said pump, a second fluid pressure operated means for operating said pump and means to selectively cause operation of either said first or both of said fluid pressure operated means to secure either low or high pressure fluid discharge with the same fluid pressure.

4. In a device of the class described, a pump, means for supplying fluid pressure thereto, a fluid pressure operated power mechanism for said pump including a valve chamber having an intake port and an outlet port and a valve in said valve chamber for alternately admitting fluid pressure through said intake port to said power mechanism and exhausting it from said power mechanism through said outlet port, a control valve for admitting fluid pressure through said first valve to said power mechanism when in one position and exhausting it therefrom when in another position and an exhaust valve communi eating with said outlet port, said exhaust valve when open permitting escape of fluid pressure from said outlet port to permit said first valve to function and thereby produce repeated cycles of said power mechanism while said control valve is in its first mentioned position and said exhaust valve when closed, preventing escape of fluid pressure from said power mechanism except through said control valve when in its secondmentioned position whereby only a single cycle of operation of said power mechanism occurs when said control valve is moved to its first mentioned position and then said second-mentioned position.

5. In a device of the class described, a pump, means for supplying fluid thereto, a fluid pressure operated power mechanism for said pump including valve mechanism for alternately admitting fluid pressure to and exhausting it from said power mechanism, a control valve for admitting fluid pressure to said first valve when in one position and exhausting it therefrom when in another position and an exhaust valve communicating with said valve mechanism to receive exhaust fluid pressure therefrom, the degree of opening of said exhaust valve being variable to restrict the passage of fluid pressure being exhausted therefrom and thereby change the back pressure on the power mechanism and regulate the velocity of the return stroke thereof when said first valve is in position exhausting the fluid pressure therefrom.

6. In a device of the class disclosed, a fluid pump, a fluid pressure operated power unit for said pump, a source of fluid pressure supply for said power unit, valve mechanism for controlling the fluid pressure from said source to said power unit, said power unit including a small piston continuously responsive to fluid pressure to bias it in a return direction and a large piston under the control of fluid pressure admitted thereto by said valve mechanism against the first-mentioned bias in an advance direction, said valve mechanism being operatively connected with and thereby responsive to the movement of said power unit and a reservoir connected with said fluid pump for supplying fluid to the pump.

7. In a device of the class disclosed, a fluid pump, a fluid pressure operated power unit for said pump, said power unit being separable from said pump, a reservoir for fluid, the outlet of said reservoir communicating with said pump, a follower in said reservoir, a fluid pressure supply line connected with said power unit and a connection between said supply line and said reservoir behind said follower, said connection being supported by said power unit and being separable from said reservoir simultaneously with the separation of said power unit from said pump.

8. In a device of the class disclosed, a fluid pump, a power mechanism to operate said pump and separable therefrom, a reservoir for supplying fluid to said pump, a follower in said reservoir and means for continuously supplying fluid pressure to said reservoir behind said follower to bias the fluid in the reservoir to enter said pump, said means including a two part connection carried by said power mechanism and reservoir, normally supplying fluid pressure to said reservoir and separable therefrom by separation of said power mechanism from said pump and a check valve in said connection closing toward said reservoir, said connection having means to open said check valve upon coaction of the two parts thereof with each other.

9. In a device of the character disclosed, a pump head, a fluid reservoir connected therewith, a power unit connectable therewith and disconnectable therefrom, a normally closed fluid pressure coupling including means operable by connection of said pump head and power unit together to efi'ect opening of said coupling and a fluid pressure connection with said power unit and said coupling, said coupling communicating with said reservoir to bias the contents thereof toward said pump head when said coupling is open.

10. In a device of the character disclosed, a pump head, a fluid reservoir connected therewith, a power unit connectable therewith and disconnectable therefrom, a fluid pressure coupling operable by connection of said pump head and power unit together, a fluid pressure connection with said power unit, said connection communicating with said coupling and said coupling communicating with said reservoir to bias the contents thereof toward said pump head, said coupling including means for shutting off the fluid pressure to said coupling when said pump head is disconnected from said power unit, said means being opened by connection of said pumphead and said power unit together.

11. In a device of the character disclosed, a pump head, a fluid pump therein, a power unit connectable with and disconnectable from said pump head, a fluid pressure coupling operable by connection of said pump head and power unit together, a fluid pressure connection with said power unit, said connection communicating with said coupling and said coupling communicating with said pump head to bias said pump to move in one direction, said coupling including means for shutting off the fluid pressure to said coupling when said pump head is disconnected from said power unit.

12. In a device of the character disclosed, a pump unit including a reservoir and a follower, a power unit connectable therewith and disconnectable therefrom, one of said units telescoping into the other one and having a notch in its periphery, the other of said units having a slot inclined inwardly and toward the end of said other unit which receives the first unit, a cross pin slidable in said slot, means urging it toward said notch whereby telescopic cooperation of said units provides positive connection thereof together, a fluid pressure connection with said power unit to operate it, a fluid pressure coupling communicating with said fluid pressure connection and with said reservoir behind its follower to aid said power unit in its operation, said coupling including means for shutting off the fluid pressure to said coupling when said pump head is disconnected from said power unit.

13. In a device as disclosed, a pump, means for supplying fluid thereto, a compound power mechanism for said pump, portions of said power mechanism being selectively operable to operate said pump and effect discharge of fluid therefrom at either high or low pressure as desired with supply of actuating fluid to said power mechanism at the same pressure for either high or low pressure operation, control means for rendering said power mechanism operable, said power mechanism being reciprocable for discharging a shot of fluid from said pump each reciprocation thereof and means to cause either a single or a plurality of reciprocations thereof when said control means is operated.

a 14. In a fluid dispenser of the character disclosed, a pump unit, a power unit connectable with said pump unit, a source of fluid pressure for said power unit, means for supplying actuating fluid from said source to said power unit for causing operation of said pump unit, said power unit including a pair of pump actuating devices, a controller therefor to cause operation of both actuating devices to discharge fluid at high pressure from said pump unit or to cause operation of only one actuating device to discharge fluid at low pressure from said pump unit, said power unit having fluid pressure operated mechanism operable by actuating fluid from said source to retract said power unit after a fluid discharge operation and coupling means between said units for supplying actuating fluid from said source to said fluid pressure operated mechanism when said units are connected together.

15. In a device of the class described, a pump, means for supplying fluid thereto, a fluid pressure operated power mechanism for said pump including a valve responsive to movements of the power mechanism to cause reciprocations thereof, a control valve for admitting fluid pressure to said first valve when in one position and for exhausting it therefrom when in another position and an exhaust valve communicating with said first valve to receive fluid pressure therefrom, said exhaust valve, when open, permitting escape of fluid pressure from said first valve to produce multiple reciprocations of said power mechanism while said control valve is in its first-mentioned position, said exhaust valve, when closed, preventing escape of fluid pressure from said first valve through said exhaust valve, said control valve in said one position causing operation of said power mechanism in one direction, the fluid pressure being exhausted therefrom through said control valve when in said another position.

16. In a device of the class described, a pump, means for supplying lubricant thereto, a fluid pressure operated power mechanism for said pump including a valve responsive to movements of the power mechanism, a control valve for admitting fluid pressure to said first valve when in one position and for exhausting it therefrom when in another position, and an exhaust valve communicating with said first valve to receive fluid pressure therefrom, said exhaust valve when opened permitting escape of fluid pressure from said first valve to produce multiple reciprocations of said power mechanism while said control valve is in its first-mentioned position, said exhaust valve, when closed, preventing escape of fluid pressure from said first valve, said control valve in said one position causing operation of said power mechanism in one direction, said first valve including a valve member and a seat therefor, said valve member being retained seated by fluid pressure from said control valve, said control valve when in said another position relieving the fluid pressure on said first valve whereby it unseats and the fluid pressure is thereupon exhausted from said power mechanism through said first valve and said control valve to atmosphere.

CHARLES W. GIN'I'ER. 

